What is arthrodesis?

Arthrodesis refers to the surgical procedure that involves the fusion of two or more joints. This technique is typically performed to alleviate pain in the joints, stabilize them after injury, or treat conditions such as arthritis. During arthrodesis, the bones at the affected joint or joints are permanently joined together to eliminate the movement that could cause pain. This is particularly beneficial when other treatments have failed to provide relief.

The other options describe different medical concepts. Measuring bone mass is associated with osteoporosis assessments and requires different techniques like dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Muscle strength assessments typically involve functional tests and aren’t related to joint fusion. Lastly, while bone grafting can relate to surgical procedures, it specifically involves the use of bone tissue to promote the healing and regeneration of bone, and is not limited exclusively to what arthrodesis entails. Thus, the definition of arthrodesis is accurately captured by the concept of surgical fixation of two or more joints.